Thank you to everyone who has donated cloth masks, materials, financial donations, and other resources to help make this project a success! This project is closed as of May 31, 2020.
Your contributions have helped us provide 42,716 front line heroes and vulnerable members of our community with cloth masks. We are grateful for the more than 350 people from across the country who pulled together their skills, resources, and compassion to help with this project.
Volunteers in our Facebook group will continue making and donating cloth masks as their time and resources permit. All are welcome to continue participating and helping our front line heroes and vulnerable members of our community under the leadership of the Facebook group volunteer, Stacey Margolis Larson.
Some of our 42,716 front line heroes who have received cloth masks:
We are supporting the use of PPE, we know and support the fact that cloth masks are not a replacement for PPE. We also support the correct laundering of masks using CDC guidelines to reduce infection risks. To further reduce the spread of infection all masks must be taken on and off using CDC guidelines, correctly discarded if contaminated with bodily fluids, washed regularly, use correct hand hygiene and avoid touching your face. We support the need to supply PPE to all areas including rural locations when available.
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/laundry.html
Some of our Mask Making volunteers:
Mask templates:
We have several types of masks being requested. Masks with a pocket (they will insert their own filter), masks without a pocket, masks with elastic, and masks with ties. We include the type requested next to each location on our spreadsheet. Thank you!
New to Sewing?
- Here is a great video for anyone just learning how to use a sewing machine: https://youtu.be/MRE4TABLswU
Instructions:
- Face mask with filter pocket and nose guard pocket: https://youtu.be/KBR98YKAr7w
- Easy face mask with filter pocket and no pleats: https://youtu.be/zm_NmpdgWWA
- Cloth mask designed by an RN with a pocket and fits over n95 masks. Use only cotton fabric: Surgical Mask Pattern with Pocket Template
- Reusable cotton masks with pocket and adjustable ties: https://jennifermaker.com/face-mask-patterns-cricut
- A.B. cotton reusable masks with ties: https://www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse/
- Embroidery friends – Free face mask applique – https://smartneedle.com/product/free-face-mask-applique/
- Reusable cotton masks with elastic – Regular version & Pocket version: https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/
- UNC prefers: Reusable cotton masks with elastic instruction: https://courierpressblogs.com/pdf/howtomakeafacemask.pdf
- Best Material for Masks: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/best-materials-make-diy-face-mask-virus/
Videos:
- 2-layer mask with pocket and area for a nose wire: https://youtu.be/KBR98YKAr7w
- Filter pocket, ties, and moldable nose – https://youtu.be/BCJcE-r7kcg
- – cloth mask with ties and a pocket: https://youtu.be/p4USPU1Trz4
- Reusable cotton mask instruction video from Deaconess Hospital: https://youtu.be/9tBg0Os5FW
- Cloth medical mask tutorial – Seth recommends 1.5” strips, I bumped it up to 1.75 to accommodate the thickness: https://youtu.be/BFW2xCkWnno
- Reusable cotton mask instruction video: https://youtu.be/VcQ69_ANsRA
- Masks and Face Shield video: https://youtu.be/aNjpH5lBZ8w
Face Shield template:
- Face shield template: Face Shield Template PDF
- Masks and Face Shield video: https://youtu.be/aNjpH5lBZ8w
Scrub Cap Template:
- Scrub cap template: Scrub Cap Template PDF
- Srub cap video: https://youtu.be/8rsqM7wQth4
Headband Template:
- Headband to add buttons and hold masks in place: https://www.marymarthamama.com/crafty-cat/diy-headband-step-by-step-tutorial-with-pictures/
Who has received cloth masks?
All front line workers including doctors, nurses, medical admin, hospice workers, senior center staff, grocery store workers, and other emergency personnel.
Our volunteers have provided 42,716 front line heroes have received donated cloth masks between March 21, 2020, and May 31, 2020, in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, Navajo Nation, NC, ND, NE, NH, NM, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI & WY.
How are financial donations used?
All financial donations received between March 21, 2020, and May 31, 2020, will be used to create and ship masks to front line heroes.
Thank you Letters Received
CDC Guidelines:
HCP use of homemade masks: In settings where facemasks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for the care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.
- Emergency information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html
- How to use protective equipment: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf
- Preventing the spread of the Coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
- Laundry and Bedding guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/environmental/background/laundry.html
Why did Trauma Focused Therapeutic Community (TFTC) Gardens coordinate this effort?
Our founder is a nurse working within her community and she understands first hand the dire need for masks for all front line heroes. She has transitioned our cause temporarily to support our local communities during this global pandemic.
Recent Study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4420971/?fbclid=IwAR2ofNcEHXQq2ghLPrhHQB4v2b0xHNg6IoRH0etT0ibkIXFimSBW3BikpBs
We acknowledge that research shows that cloth masks are not ideal but as the CDC has suggested in a shortage these are an option we are doing out best. If you do wear one of these masks please follow the CDC guideline on hand washing, not touching your face and how to wash this fabric mask.
Disclaimer:
We understand that these cloth masks are not a replacement for n95 surgical masks and they need to be used correctly to reduce the spread of disease. This website has been set up to maintain safety by providing instructions for making the masks, washing the masks, transporting them and providing instructions to those who wear them.
Publicity:
Our project has been listed on these websites:
WRAL article: NC virtual sewing, donation project delivers 30K masks to frontline workers
http://www.handsontriangle.org/other-volunteer-needs/
https://www.nc.gov/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities
This site will be updated as information becomes available.